Trust in America: How do Americans view economic inequality?
Amid rising inequality, many Americans feel that the U.S. economic system is unfair and generally favors powerful special interests.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Amid rising inequality, many Americans feel that the U.S. economic system is unfair and generally favors powerful special interests.
Across 34 countries, a median of 65% said in 2019 they felt pessimistic about reducing the gap between the rich and poor in their country.
Black Americans support significant reforms to or complete overhauls of several U.S. institutions to ensure fair treatment. Yet even as they assess inequality and ideas about progress, many are pessimistic about whether society and institutions will change in ways that would reduce racism.
Overall, 29% of U.S. adults said they have had more advantages in life than others their age; 26% felt they have had fewer advantages.
Pew Research Center President Michael Dimock examines the changes – some profound, some subtle – that the U.S. experienced during Barack Obama’s presidency.
There are deep divisions between blacks and whites in how they see racial discrimination, barriers to black progress and prospects for change.
Trends in public opinion are in line with Obama’s agenda: The priority given to deficit reduction has slipped somewhat, while public support for rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure has increased.
There are wide gaps between conservative and centrist Republicans on whether the government should do something to reduce poverty and inequality.
The issue of income inequality is back in the news at a time when the U.S. public believes there is a growing gulf between rich and poor that is likely to continue.
A summary of where Americans stand on ten key issues likely to come up in President Obama’s State of the Union address.
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